Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

TUSCALOOSA – From Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant and Oklahoma State receiver Jalen McCleskey to the five Auburn players who chose to move on earlier this month, the list of players that have announced their intention transfer recently reads like a who’s who of college football.

Despite finding himself in a backup role after being supplanted as the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback by talented sophomore Tua Tagovailoa, Hurts has made it clear he’s not going anywhere, at least for the remainder of the 2018 season.

“Well, I think Jalen has been very, very professional about the way he's sort of handled the situation he's in,” Saban said Wednesday night. “I've said it's a unique situation – nobody's ever been in this situation before. He won 26 games here and then all of a sudden somebody else is playing.

“But what he has done is he's worked every day to try to get better. He's focusing on improving and the value he can get from this season because we're going to play him as much as we possibly can,” Saban continued. “He deserves to play. He’s a good player. And there may be a time in the future where he becomes the guy if something happens. … But I think it speaks volumes of his character to stick with his teammates, be a part of his team, finish the season.”

The wave of recent transfers has been credited to the NCAA’s new four-game allowance for players to redshirt, thus maintaining the current season of eligibility, which has especially appealed to seniors like Bryant and McCleskey, who chose to transfer this week due to frustrations with their reduced roles.

Bryant, who started the Tigers’ first four games of the season but regularly split series with talented true freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence, was informed Sunday of the team’s intention to start Lawrence moving forward, a decision that clearly didn’t sit well with Bryant.

“They asked me how I felt about it,” Bryant told The Greenville News about Swinney’s decision to start Lawrence on Saturday against Syracuse. “I was like, ‘I’m not discrediting Trevor. He’s doing everything asked of him, but on my side of it, I feel like I haven't done anything to not be the starter. I've been here. I've waited my turn. I've done everything y’all have asked me to do, plus more.’ I've never been a distraction. I've never been in trouble with anything. To me, it was kind of a slap in the face.”

FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, file photo, Clemson quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence (16) and Kelly Bryant (2) warms up before an NCAA college football game in Atlanta. Bryant is leaving the third-ranked Tigers after Lawrence was named starting quarterback this week, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)(Photo: The Associated Press)

In a similar situation, McCleskey informed the Cowboys coaching staff Monday his decision to sit out the remainder of the season and then transfer, thus maintaining his final season of eligibility.

Across the state, Auburn has had five different players announce their intention to transfer, including former five-star receiver Nate Craig-Myers, Montgomery-native tight end Jalen Harris, cornerbacks John Broussard Jr. and Jayvaughn Myers, and walk-on punter Aiden Marshall.

For Saban, who like many were in favor of the new four-game allowance to redshirt, the rash of veterans transferring is an unintended consequence, and one he’s not particularly in favor of.

“It’s a little bit of a slippery slope when players start to decide whether they’re going to play or not,” Saban said. “I’m not saying that there’s not some circumstances out there where it’s not beneficial for the player to save a year so that he can play in another circumstance, but those things probably should be mutually agreed upon.

“But it is what it is. I think the intent of the rule was to help in the development of young players. This is sort of an unintended consequence of the rule, which in some cases might help a player.”

For Hurts, a third-year junior who is scheduled to graduate in December, sticking things out with his Alabama teammates is seemingly more important than the perceived benefit of maintaining two years of eligibility should he ultimately transfer before playing in another game.

Appearing in all four games this season as the backup, Hurts has completed 22-of-31 passes for 276 yards and four touchdowns to just one interception. Hurts’ 71-percent completion percentage and 181.89 passer rating are career-highs after struggling with completion percentages in the low-60s (60.6 and 62.8) and ratings of 150.75 and 139.12 in 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Much of Hurts’ improvement has been credited to his ability to stay in the pocket and avoid scrambling on designed passing plays, having combined for more than 1,800 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns the past two years. Through four games this season, Hurts has run just 15 times for 54 yards, which is actually three carries and 49 rushing yards behind Tagovailoa.

“I think Jalen has certainly improved in the pocket, there's no doubt about that,” Saban said Sept. 17. “There's never been any question about his arm talent. It's always been (about) making decisions, choices, second reads, that type of things, which I think he's really made a lot of improvement on.”

Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) celebrates after scoring the during the fourth quarter against Georgia during an NCAA college football game for the Southeastern Conference championship Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Atlanta. (AJ ReynoldsAthens Banner-Herald via AP) The Associated Press

Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts, left, is chased by Baylor linebacker Blake Lynch, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Waco, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin) The Associated Press

Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) talks to a reporter following an NCAA college football game against West Virginia in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. Oklahoma won 52-14. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) The Associated Press

Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs against West Virginia during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) The Associated Press

Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) The Associated Press

Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) gets past Kansas safety Jeremiah McCullough (12) as he runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) The Associated Press

Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) The Associated Press

Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) carries in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against South Dakota Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Sue Ogrocki, AP

COLLEGE STATION, TX - OCTOBER 07: Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide has his pass attempt knocked down by Kingsley Keke #88 of the Texas A&M Aggies in the fourth quarter at Kyle Field on October 7, 2017 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) Getty Images

Alabama secretary of State John Merrill (L) shakes hands and speaks with former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts before the National Quarterback Club Awards Dinner & Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale, Ariz. on January 19, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

FILE - In this Jan. 5, 2019, file photo, Alabama's Jalen Hurts answers questions during media day for the NCAA college football playoff championship game, in Santa Clara, Calif. Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts has decided to transfer to Oklahoma. Hurts made the announcement Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in a story in the Players' Tribune .(AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) The Associated Press

Alabama's Jalen Hurts scrambles during the second half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Clemson, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) The Associated Press

Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) throws against Clemson in first half action of the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on Monday January 9, 2017. Mickey Welsh

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018 file photo, Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts, right, celebrate with the team after the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game against Georgia, in Atlanta. Alabama won 35-28. Even before Hurts came off the bench to lead Alabama's comeback win over Georgia in the Southeastern Conference championship game, his popularity has only seemed to grow since his role shrank. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018 file photo, Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) speaks to fans after the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game between Georgia and Alabama, in Atlanta. Alabama won 35-28. Even before Hurts came off the bench to lead Alabama's comeback win over Georgia in the Southeastern Conference championship game, his popularity has only seemed to grow since his role shrank. (AP Photo/John Amis, File) The Associated Press

Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) is tackled by Georgia defensive back J.R. Reed (20) as he falls into the end zone for the game winning touchdown in the SEC Championship Game at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday December 1, 2018. Mickey Welsh

Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) takes the field during Alabama's open practice one day before the Southeastern Conference Championship NCAA college football game between Georgia and Alabama in Atlanta, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. (Joshua L. Jones/Athens Banner-Herald via AP) The Associated Press

Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) looks to throw against Louisville ion second half action of the Camping World Kickoff at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday September 1, 2018. Mickey Welsh

As the backup, Hurts hasn’t played more than four total series in any of the first four games this season, and has just 15 total offensive series, while Tagovailoa has appeared in more than twice as many series as the starter (31).

Despite the role reversal, neither Hurts nor Tagovailoa have let it affect their relationship as teammates, with each regularly serving as the other’s biggest cheerleaders on the sideline.

Even Saban sounded downright appreciative of Hurts’ maturity throughout the entire process.

“I've always said how much respect I have for both the guys. How you handle things when you're in a difficult situation I think speaks volumes of who you are,” Saban said. “The one thing we're all going to have in life is we're gonna have a lot of problems. Life is difficult. How you handle the problems is the one thing that you can control. I think this is certainly an obstacle that will help him be more successful in the future and the way he's handled is certainly going to help him handle issues and problems that we all have in our lives in the future.”